Day 2 of the new Government shutdown, but first work day and I had to come to the office for shutdown duties. Since I am only here for a few hours I decided to continue my deep dive into this house. Today i chose Gambit. on first spray, I was like wow this smells great. Then it hit me, I have smelled this before. It smells like if Percival, Drakar and Sauvage joined together Voltron style to form this fragrance. It is almost like that spicy old-school that doesn’t feel old. I am digging it. Do I have all three of those bottles? Yes I do. Do I want a full bottle of this? Yes I do. Will I get it? Maybe its expensive, but one that is big enough to find on discounters so….Anyway stay smelling good my brothers.

Have a resort casual luncheon today with a supplier and then this evening will have a wardrobe change to welcome a lot of our customers for a few days for a rewards trip for them. First time in a while I’ve brought several scents on a long trip like this. Today is the day I’m wearing Creed Royal Oud to set the mood!! Hope you’re all having a great Monday!!

Released in 2020 as a standout flanker in the iconic Gentleman line, Givenchy Gentleman Boisée is a masterclass in modern, woody sophistication from the nose of the legendary Olivier Crespwhom not only worked for many of the European designer house, but has also worked with Middle Eastern Houses and done some Niche work too. While other entries in the series (like the EDP or Reserve Privée) lean heavily into powdery iris or boozy notes, Boisée strikes a unique balance between earthy & elegant Think spicey florals mixed with Wood. Its the Iris that stands out wrapped on an almost burning wood to create an amazing contrast. Boisée (French for "wooded") lives up to its name, but it is far from a simple forest scent. It is a Woody Floral Spicy fragrance that feels velvety and smooth rather than sharp. With top notes of Black Pepper, Coriander & Geranium, the opening is a dry, spicy burst. It’s slightly peppery but softened by the geranium, which keeps it from being too aggressive. At its heart, Iris (Orris), Cacao Pod & Cedarwood. This is the soul of the fragrance. That signature Givenchy iris provides a lipstick or powdery texture, but here it is mixed with a dry, bitter cacao. It doesn’t smell like a chocolate bar; it smells more like high-end, unsweetened cocoa powder. Finally the base contains notes of Sandalwood, Burning Wood & Patchouli. The dry down is where the "burning wood" comes in. It provides a subtle, smoky warmth that feels incredibly cozy, and it's grounded by the creaminess of the sandalwood. Despite its beauty, there is a flaw with many of these edp's from Givinchey. They are a lot more restrained than some of their counterparts. Much like the Replica range from Maison Margeila, I sometimes wonder might this have been done on purpose? It beggers belief as too why, but perhaps it's what the perfumer intended? At best you will get 5, maybe 6 hrs on skin before it fades into a skin scent. It won't fill a room. It creates a "scent bubble" about arm's length, making it very safe for the office or close-up dates. Definitely an intimate scent, perfect for a date night. It's there to be discovered, not announced. Definitely a winter scent, but enjoyable none the less.